FBI warns travelers to Mexico of kidnapping risk

McALLEN — With nearly 200 reported kidnappings of U.S. citizens in Mexico this year, FBI agents in South Texas are bracing for a seasonal uptick in crime as families travel south of the border over the holidays.

"One of the things we've noticed is that due to the increase of drug seizures, these individuals are kidnapping to augment the loss of funds on the drug side," said Rene Ovalle, supervisory special agent in the FBI McAllen office.

So far this year there have been 199 reported kidnappings of Americans in Mexico, a dramatic rise from the 26 kidnappings reported in 2006, according to FBI data. In 2014, the FBI investigated 79 kidnappings in Tamaulipas, more than any other state in Mexico.

While shifting criminal patterns could help explain increased kidnappings, more people are also reaching out to the FBI to report suspected abductions. But many people are still hesitant to approach the FBI, Ovalle said.

"Some individuals that travel into Mexico are undocumented immigrants, so when they try to come back north a large percentage of them use coyotes," Ovalle said. "That's when the smuggler starts extorting family members to get additional funds."

If a kidnapping does occur, the sooner authorities are notified the greater probability of returning that person to loved ones in the United States. In fact, the FBI safely returned 90 percent of victims kidnapped on cases it investigated between 2013 and 2014, Lee said.

"The Mexican law enforcement agencies we've worked with recently have been absolutely critical to the return of a lot victims here to the U.S. safely," said FBI spokeswoman Michelle Lee.

Still, some investigation end in tragedy. In October, three Texas siblings disappeared from the small Mexican border town of El Control. The FBI was contacted, coordinating with Mexican law enforcement, but the siblings were killed, and their bodies dumped in a field near Matamoros.

Earlier this month, U.S. consulates in Mexico began receiving increased reports of highway robberies and carjackings, warning that criminals are aware many travelers coming from the United States are often carrying expensive goods.

In October, the U.S. Department of State issued a warning to U.S. citizens about the increased risk of travel in Mexico, where Americans have been the target of kidnapping, carjacking and robbery by organized criminal groups.

The State Department also encourages citizens to avoid displays of wealth, including jewelry, electronics or cameras. Traveling in an older vehicle, or possibly a vehicle with Mexican license plates, could also help lower travelers’ profiles, according to the FBI.

Aaron Nelsen is based in McAllen and is responsible for covering the Rio Grande Valley. Before joining the San Antonio Express-News in 2013, he was a freelance reporter and the TIME Magazine correspondent in Chile. He has also been a staff writer for the Brownsville Herald.